Police Hold Public Event To Help Identify The Fairmount Rapist

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – For nine years now, he’s been out there lurking. And for the last several years, police in Philadelphia have taken a day to remind people about the Fairmount rapist.

The Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit returned to the scene of the crime where one young woman was murdered, and two others were sexually assaulted beginning in 2003.

Captain John Darby says the suspect in that case is still at large, but the unit is hoping someone will notice something someday.

“This man was never caught. This offender is still at large and could very well be in the community. So we ask for any information that they might have, even now, if they see the composites, they see the body markings.”

A composite sketch of the suspect shows a 5’8” Hispanic male with a dark, thin mustache and possibly a jaw line beard.

Darby says police have DNA from the victims and it’s just a matter of time before the suspect surfaces, either in the community or in prison. He says if this man shows up somewhere in the criminal justice system, the DNA match will reveal him.

Fifty-one Philadelphia Police Explorers, made up of high school students interested in law enforcement, also helped spread the word.
Most of the joggers we spoke with were familiar with what’s happened.

“All the women joggers out here, start acting crazy,” said jogger Pauline Houston-McCall. “Start flaring your arms, skipping. They know if you are nuttier than they are, they’re not going to be able to determine what you’re going to do,” said Houston-McCall.

Although, it’s been five years since his last victim, police say it’s not a matter of if the Fairmount Park rapist will attack again, it’s when.